Word Origin & History

heft c.1445, "weight, heaviness," from heave on analogy of thieve/thief, weave/weft, etc.; also infl. by heft, obsolete pp. of heave. The verb meaning "to lift" is first recorded c.1661. Hefty is from 1867.

Example Sentences for hefts

Every time we swings she hefts me plumb free of the floor, an' bats my heels ag'in the rafters ontil both ankles is sprained.